SALISBURY — N.C. Gov. Roy Cooper cautioned residents during a morning press conference to stay in and stay put as the state experiences its first winter storm of the season.

Cooper, who spoke Friday morning about being prepared and staying safe, said unnecessary travel puts responders and those clearing the highways at risk.

“Everyone needs to be ready for cold temperatures, hazardous driving conditions and the possibility of power outages,” Cooper said.

He also recommended residents update their emergency supplies, use alternative energy supplies safely to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning and check on elderly relatives/neighbors and make preparations for pets as well.

Emergency officials say this storm will impact the region this weekend. The storm is a result of cold high pressure along the East Coast that will interact with a moist low-pressure system moving out of the Gulf of Mexico Saturday night into Sunday.

There will be moderate to heavy precipitation that will fall as a mixture of snow, sleet and freezing rain across the region.

Accumulations are expected to be the greatest in western North Carolina.

The winter storm watch remains in effect from Saturday evening through Monday morning. A watch means there is a possibility of heavy snow or a potential of significant ice accumulations.

• What: Heavy mixed precipitation possible. Total snow and sleet accumulations of three to 11 inches are possible along with a light glaze of ice.

• Where: Portions of Piedmont and western North Carolina, east of the Blue Ridge.

• When: From Saturday evening through Monday morning.

Travel could become very difficult or even impossible. Road conditions could deteriorate as early as Saturday evening, with highway travel continuing to be impacted through early next week. Visibility may drop to less than a half mile during periods of heavy snow. It is possible that there will be widespread and prolonged power outages.